Ashley Judd stars as Lorraine Nelson and Morgan Freeman as Dr. Cameron McCarthy in Alcon Entertainment's family adventure "Dolphin Tale 2,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. The film will open in theaters Sept. 12.

Warner Bros. recently announced that the release date has been moved up one week from the previously announced date of Sept. 19.

According to a press release from Clearwater Marine Aquarium, “Dolphin Tale 2” continues the true story of Winter the dolphin whose miraculous rescue and recovery, thanks to a groundbreaking prosthetic tail, made her a symbol of hope and perseverance to people around the world. The film tells another true story inspired by the life of Winter and introduces a new baby dolphin named Hope, rescued by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in 2010. Winter and Hope, who both reside at CMA, play themselves in the movie.

“’Dolphin Tale 2’ serves as the first real life sequel in the movie industry,” according to the press release. The entire cast of “Dolphin Tale” – including Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Kris Kristofferson, Nathan Gamble, Cozi Zuehlsdorff and Austin Stowell – is returning. Charles Martin Smith wrote and directed both movies.

It has been several years since young Sawyer Nelson (Gamble) and the dedicated team at the Clearwater Marine Hospital, headed by Dr. Clay Haskett (Connick Jr.), rescued Winter. With the help of Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Freeman), who developed a unique prosthetic tail for the injured dolphin, they were able to save her life.

Yet their fight is not over.

Winter’s surrogate mother, the very elderly dolphin Panama, has passed away, leaving Winter without the only pool-mate she has ever known. However, the loss of Panama may have even greater repercussions for Winter, who, according to USDA regulations, cannot be housed alone, as dolphins’ social behavior requires them to be paired with other dolphins. Time is running out to find a companion for her before the team at Clearwater loses their beloved Winter to another aquarium.

Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the film and has slated “Dolphin Tale 2” for release beginning Sept. 19, 2014.

About Clearwater Marine Aquarium

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s mission is to preserve marine life and the environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release.

CMA is home to dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, nurse sharks and more. Winter the dolphin’s story of survival and inspiration has touched millions of people around the world.

Her documentary, “Winter, the Dolphin That Can,” is available at www.S­eeWin­ter.c­om. The documentary takes viewers on an extraordinary journey through her rescue, fight to stay alive and extensive rehabilitation. Scholastic published “Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again” in October 2009.